Improvement in cabinet chairs and secretaries combined



2 Sheets--Sheet I.

C. S. TBEVITT; Cabinet Chair and Secretary Combined.

Patented April 8 Consfanf S. .Z'h m'll," M%m AM PHOTO 1mm GRAPHIC co. MY. OSBORNEIS moans) 2Sheets--Sheetv2. C. S. TBEVITT. Sabine: Chair and Secretary Combined. No; 137,738, P,atentedApril 8,l373.

m l. M r

AM. PH07D-UTHOGRAPHIC muflosswmsls P/wcsssf ATENT FFIGE.

CONSTANT S. TREYITT, OF IVASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CABINET CHAIRS AND SECRETARIES COMBINED.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 137,738, dated April 8, 1873; application filed November ,2, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CONSTANT S. TaEvrrr, of the city and county of \Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Combined Cabinet Chair and Sec,- retary, of which the following is a specification The object of this invention is to furnish a chair having a writing-desk, a series of drawers, pockets for papers, and a closet, thus combining in a single article of furnitureall the devices requisite for a complete writing-desk.

My invention therein consists of a platform or desk-leaf support hinged to the chair-arm, in combination with the pivoted desk-leaf, where by the latter is supported when in use, and the hinges of the platformrelieved of all strain when the desk-leaf is turned down out of use, thus rendering the desk-leaf connection with the chair both durable and compact also, a spring-catch arranged upon the inner side of the arm of the chair, in combination with the hinged platform or support for the desk-leaf, whereby the latter is held in position when in use, and the catch is entirely out of the way, and in convenient position for unfastening said desk-leaf; also, in the arrangement of a hinged receptacle for pens, 850., so as to beinclosed' in the left arm of the chair and out of the way, and protected when not in use; also, in providing the drawers of the chair with a catch-stop, and central handle, to prevent the drawer from being pulled entirely out of its seat, and to enable the occupant to pull out the drawer a greater distance than could otherwise be done while sitting; also, of an inkstand arranged in the chair-arm, and combined with the hinged desk-leaf support in such manner that when thedesk-leaf is turned down out of the way the inkstand will be covered and protected thereby, and when the deskis in use the inkstand will be uncovered; and, finally, of a combined chair and writing-desk having its several parts constructed-and arranged for use, as will be more fully hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a view, in perspective, of a cabinet chair and secretary embracing my invention, the desk-leaf being shown in positionfor use. F1 g. 2 represents a similar view, showing the l desk-leaf turned down out of the way. Fig. 3

represents a top view, the desk-leaf being in the position shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 represents a vertical section of the same looking frontward. Fig. 5 represents a view of the'inner side of the spring-catch in position when locked with the desk-support. Fig; 6 representsa cross-section of the desk-support, showin g the latter turned over upon the chair-arm, and the inkstand sealed thereby. Fig. 7 rep.- resents a vertical and horizontal section of the pen-and-pencil receptacle in the chair-arm,

and Fig. 8 a cross-section of one of the chair drawers. I

The upper portion of the chair or seat, armrests, and back-support may be of anysuitable form or pattern. The supporting-frame A or base of the chair is formed with front and rear ends or panels and corner-posts or stand ards and, to enable the lower limbs of the occupant of the chair to be placed beneath the chair, I preferably extend the front corner posts and seat beyond the front panel. The series of drawers B C D are fitted in'separate recesses or seats formed in the base of the chair by the insertion of horizontal divisionboards E and, in order to enable the drawers to be operated with greater convenience by the occupant of the chair, without requiring him to leave his seat, I provide the same with a centrally-located transverse bar or rod, F, which is used for continuing the movement of the drawer after the same has been partially withdrawn by the ordinary external knobs. Apivoted catch, G, with its end H projecting through the bottom of the drawer serves, in connection with a suitable stop, I, in the front of the drawer-seat, as a means of arresting the movement of the drawer by the end H of the catch to prevent the complete removal of the same. The stop I may be a projecting pin, as shown in the drawing, or a groove may be formed in the drawer-seat, the front or vertical portion of the same forming a stop, and the groove or guide channel for the catch. The catch G may be pivoted at its end or center, and be provided with a thumb-piece for. elevating the same, in order to allow the drawer to be entirely withdrawn-when desired.

For' guiding or rendering easy the move ment of the drawers, I afiix rollers a a to the upper and lower edges of the rear end of the drawers, and to the seat of the same near the/ front edge.

A closet or cabinet, K, provided with a shelf or shelves, and a hinged door, is situated in the base of the chair, on the side opposite from the drawers, for receiving books and other articles.

To one of the arm-supports of the chair, generally on the right side, is connected, by means of hinges V, a platform or support, L, and a plate, h, or prolongation attached to or formed with the same. To the horizontal portion of this platform is attached, by means of a vertical pivot-pin, d, a movable leaf or desk, M, which is capable of being turned transversely across the frontof the chair for use as a writing-desk, the free end of the leaf being supported, when in this position, by the arm-support opposite the hinged support of the chair.

. In order to secure or maintain the desk-leaf M and its hinged supporting-platform L in a horizontal position when in use,or when occupying any horizontal position, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, I locate a spring-catch, N, in a recess formed in the inner side of the front standard of the arm-support upon which the leaf-support is hinged, where said springcatch is protected from casual injury or displacement, and also readily accessible for use. The portion of the standardin which such recess is formed projects beyond the arm-rest, forming a shoulder, O,-upon which the leafsupport rests when the leaf is in a horizontal position. The spring-catch engages automatically with a loop or stirrup, 0, applied to the under side of the hinged platform L, when the same is turned into a horizontal position; thus,

in connection with the shoulder O of the standard, securing or maintaining the same in this position. The spring and catch may be combined in one piece, as in the drawing, or may be in separate parts, the spring acting upon the catch to produce the desired movement of the latter.

When the desk isnot required for use, and it is desirable to turn the same into a position where it will be out of the way, it is only necessary to move the same outward at right angles to the arm-support, and then by disengaging the spring-catch N the leaf will immediately drop down in a vertical position by the side of the chair, and in close contact with the same.

To avoid anyin j urious strain upon the hinges of the supporting-platform when the parts are in this position, the hinged bar L and its laterally extended portion h, by their peculiar construction, are caused to rest respectively upon the top and outer side of the arm-support, as shown in Fig. 6, thus affording a firm and efiectual support for theplatform and desk-leaf. v It is desirable to locate the ink-receiver or stand on the right side of the-chair', and to furnish simple and effective means for secur ing the same in position. To do this I insert the inkstand P into a receiving socket formed in the upper side of the arm-support carrying the desk-leaf and platform, in which position it is exposed or uncovered for use, when the desk-leaf and platform are in a horizontal position, and effectually closed by means of a recess or chamber formed in said hinged bar when the desk-leaf is brought into and rests in its inoperative or vertical position upon the arm-support. The upper end of the inkstand is received in the recess Q in the leaf-support, and in order to produce a tight seal or joint, and also to protect the inkstand, 1 preferably line said recess Q with India rubber or other elastic material.

In the other arm-support of the chair is formed a longitudinal recess or elongated opening, in which is hinged, by means of a vertical pivot-pin, a pen and pencil receptacle,

1%, which forms, when not in use, a portion of the arm-support, it being secured in this position by means of a spring-catch, S, engaging with its inner end. When required for use the spring-catch is disengaged, thusenabling the receptacle to be turned in an outward direction.

To the side or sides of the chair, in a suitable and convenient position, I attach pockets or portfolios U formed of some flexible material and adapted to the temporary reception of newspapers or other articles.

If desirable, the drawers may be arranged to be drawn out at the front of the chair. The desk-leaf may be of any convenient configuration.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. In a combined chair and writing-desk, the support L, hinged asdescribed, in combination with the desk-leaf M pivoted thereto, as and for the purpose described.

2. The spring-catch N located and arranged as described, in combination with the hinged platform or support L, as and for the purpose described.

3. The hinged pen-receptacle Q arranged and enclosed within the chair arm, as and for the purpose described.

4:. The chair-drawers having the catch G H, stop I, and central handle F, arranged as and for the purpose described.

5. The inkstand 0 arranged as described, in combination with the hinged support L, as described.

6. The combination in a chair and writingdesk of the pivoted leaf M, the hinged support L, spring-catch N, inkstand O, and penreceptacle Q, the several parts being constructed and arranged for use as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of November, A. D.

. O. S. TREVITT Witnesses:

A. E. H. JOHNSON, J.W. HAMILTON JouNsoN. 

